Swire started his career for a subsidiary of the family business, Butterfield & Swire Far East, in 1956.[2]
He was the chairman of John Swire & Sons from 1987 to 1997, and from 2002 to 2004.[2] He was on the board of directors of Cathay Pacific, an airline partially owned by the family business, from 1965 to 2005.[2]
Will be interesting if Merlin has any passion for aviation he may hate it after being named after an engine, he may not like CX at all.